***The next morning***
Lance pounds on the door, "Rose? You ok?" He hears a very faint answer. "I'm coming in." He opens the door with the sapre key. "Rose? Where you at girl?"
"In here, Lance."
Lance opens the bathroom door to find JC bent over the toilet, one hand supporting himself and one hand holding his hair out of his face. "Jayce?"
"Hey Lance," JC stands up, goes to the sink and washes his face.
"Still?"
"Yeah, wasn't as bad this morning."
"You're still planning on going to the doctor when we get back right?"
"Yeah, I don't think J'll let up till I go."
"He just wants to make sure it's nothing serious."
"I know. I just wish he'd let up a little sometimes."
***A Week Later***
"So you going to the doctor today?" Lance asks.
"Yeah, was the soonest I could get in."
"Anyone going with you?"
"No, I told J I couldn't get in until tomorrow."
"You know he's just worried."
"I know. It's just sometimes it's too much. It's almost ...."
"Like what Jayce?"
"Well....it seems like he's more worried about my wellbeing than my boyfriend is."
"How is Joey handling all this anyway?"
"I have no idea. I haven't heard from him since we got back in town."
"I can't believe he's being like this. You guys weren't just messing around and shit were you?"
"I thought it was serious. I know I was. Look, can we not talk about him?"
"Sorry Jayce. I didn't..."
"It's ok Lance. I just don't want to think about it. I've just finally gotten to the point that I don't cry when I think about him."
"Well give me a call when you get home and we can do something. Ok?"
"Sorry man, J's coming over this afternoon. He's got something planned but wouldn't tell me what."
"Oh, well how about tomorrow?"
"That would be cool. I haven't seen you or Chris in a while."
"Yeah, we've been a bit busy."
"It's cool. You guys still have your lives. You can't just drop them because of me. Look I gotta go. I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Yep, see ya."
***Several Hours Later***
"You sure you haven't seen him?" Justin asks into the phone.
"No. I talked to her earlier but I haven't heard from her since. She said she was doing something with you this afternoon. Fact is she seemed pretty excited about that."
"Well he couldn't have been too excited. We were supposed to leave two hours ago."
The front door opens and a blur flies up the stairs and a door slams shut.
"Um...Lance. I gotta go. I think he's home."
Justin hangs up the phone and walks up the stairs. he raises his hand to knock on the door but stops short when he hears. "Mom, I need you. Can you please come down here? Thanks mom. I'll see you tonight."
Justin hears JC hang up the phone and then knocks on the door.
"Can I come in?"
"No, leave me alone J."
"Jayce come on. What'd the doctor have to say? Why didn't you tell me you were going? Why can't I come in?"
JC opens the door and glares at Justin, "You can't come in because you're the one that made me go to the God damn doctor."
"Ok, and why is that such a bad thing? You've been sick for over a month Jayce. What did the doctor say?"
JC walked away from the door and threw himself across the bed. "You sure you wanna know the answer to that?"
"Yes, I'm sure. Now spill."
"Well..."
"Justin, JC? Where you at?" Lance yells as he enters the house.
"We'll be down in a minute Lance." JC yealls back. "I'll tell you later J."
"Ok, and you can throw in why your mom is coming down too."
"How did you...."
"I heard you on the phone Jayce."
They walk down the stairs to meet a very nervous Lance and Chris.
"Hey guys," JC smiles.
"Don't even try it. What the hell is going on with you?" Chris rants.
"I went for a drive after I got done at the doctor's."
"So you went? What'd he say?" Lance questioned.
JC looks to Justin, "I'll tell you later. I have someone else to tell before I can tell you, ok?"
"Well you better get on the phone and get 'em over here cuz we aren't leaving until you tell us." Chris states.
Justin places a hand on JC's shoulder, "He's already called his mom. She's on her way as we speak, so lay off guys."
"Your mom?" Lance panics. "Is it that bad?"
"Look, sit down and relax guys. No I'm not dying. It's just something I need to tell her first."
"Um... I almost hate to ask this but.... does she know about...." Chris stammers.
"Does she know I'm no longer her son, but her daughter? No, I haven't exactly figured out a way to break that bit of news to her yet."
"Yeah, I guess that would be a bit hard." Lance states. "Does she know that you and Joey....well that...."
"Yeah, she knows I'm gay."
"Oh, that's cool. So when's she going to be here?" Chris asks.
"She'll be here in a couple hours. How about we eat?" JC suggests.
"Sounds good to me." Justin states.
***Two Hours Later***
Karen Chasez gets out of her car and walks to the front door. JC hears the car pull in and runs to his room.
"Ok?" Lance watches JC, "What the hell is going on?"
Justin goes to the door and lets Karen in, "Hi, Jayce is up in his room."
"Thanks Justin."
"Here. I'll take your bag. You might want to go right up and see him. Just promise me, whatever you see, don't freak out."
"Ok," Karen looks at Justin. "What's going on?"
"I think it would be best if you let him tell you. I'll be right here if you two need me."
"Thanks son," Karen puts a hand on Justin's shoulder. "I'm sure it'll be ok."
She walks up the stairs and knocks on the door, "Son, can I come in?"
The door flies open and her arms are filled with a crying, babling young woman."